Chapter 4:
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters…
A/N: It's great hearing your reviews! They really make my day! ^_^ Between all of my stories I honestly can't keep up with them, so I'm sorry if I don't reply! T_T I DO however read them all, so you can be sure I take everything you guys say into consideration! ;) Oh! And I promise I will be addressing the real issue behind why the youkai are all in the zoo! Promise! I know I said at first that maybe nobody questions it, but despite that the wheels were turning because I KNEW it would come up at some point or another. I've got a basic idea formed that I have been thinking about a lot the past week and half or so, and I CAN say that one of you was pretty much right on the dot! Lol! Now! Onto this chappie!
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A little girl hummed happily as she skipped into the zoo, a bundle of yellow flowers in her hands. She was really excited, and she'd dressed up extra pretty for the occasion.
As she went in she stopped to look at a map before taking off to the left, still skipping merrily.
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As Kagome went about her day she was intercepted by Miroku. And a child.
The poor girl looked very frustrated.
"What's up Miroku?" She glanced from the man down to the little girl.
She had a bunch of yellow daisies in her hand, her arms crossed in front of her impatiently.
"Well, I found this little one wandering about alone, pushing a flower through Inuyasha's exhibit. She says that she came alone."
"I didn't know that it was Yasha's cage! My flowers were not for him! He's grouchy!" The little girl began to pout. Frowning, Kagome kneeled down to her eye level.
"Honey, can you tell me why you're here alone? Where are your parents?"
"I don't have parents," she said airily.
"You don't have parents? Then where's you guardian?"
"He is here. That is why I came."
"Where is he?"
"I don't know." She frowned, turning away to glance about her.
Standing, Kagome frowned as well.
"Alright honey, how about this? I only have one more exhibit to take care of before my lunch break, so how about you come with me and then afterwards we'll figure out where your guardian is. Okay?"
She nodded quietly.
Kagome reached out a hand and the girl took it, following her to wherever she might lead.
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"Alright, so here we are," Kagome smiled as she stopped before the last Inu exhibit, setting down her now customary bundle. "Now, I need you to wait right here, alright? I don't know if your guardian would be comfortable with you being near a youkai."
"Oh he wouldn't mind."
Kagome's brows furrowed in confusion. Most humans were still uncomfortable with their young being around youkai, so her guardian must have been one of the more forward thinkers.
"Are you sure about that, honey?"
Her answer came from another, from a voice on the other side of the bars.
"She may enter." As both girls looked up, the little girl burst with happiness.
"Sesshomaru-sama! Rin has found you!" The little girl began to jump up and down in her place before rushing to the exhibit doors and watching Kagome expectantly.
Yet again, Kagome was confused.
"Wait, he's your guardian?" She pointed her thumb at him over her shoulder, watching the girl carefully.
"Yes! And Rin missed him very much so she came to visit!"
Kagome turned and looked to said guardian, watching his expression. He was as stoic as ever, but there was a warmth in his eyes, a tenderness as he watched the girl bounce about.
Deciding not to question it any further she went to the doors and opened them, allowing the girl to enter before she shut them behind her. The girl bounded into the exhibit, leaving Kagome in her wake.
Kagome gathered the bento she brought for him and when she found them she couldn't help but grin. The girl had latched herself onto his leg, too small to reach him for a proper hug. He placed a hand gently on her head.
"Alright, well I guess you can share lunch with us then." She smiled as she set out the food. They all sat down preparing to eat and Rin glanced over at Kagome as she munched on an onigiri.
"What is your name, pretty lady?"
"Oh! I completely forgot my manners! I'm sorry!" she blushed, feeling very foolish as she sat up straighter.
"My name is Higurashi, Kagome. What's your name?"
"My name is Taisho, Rin." Rin bowed a little at the waist, no doubt having practiced introductions many times.
"It's very nice to meet you, Rin!" She smiled warmly, liking Rin very much already.
Rin looked up at her guardian, smiling softly.
He nodded.
"Well done, Rin."
As the child dug into the food with renewed fervor, Kagome glanced up at the youkai as well.
"I'm sorry I didn't think to introduce myself before. I believe Rin called you Sesshomaru-sama?"
"Hn." He inclined his head a moment. "I was previously aware of your name, miko."
"Oh! You were? You knew all along?"
"Hn."
She blushed, unsure of what to think of that.
"Ho-how did you know that?"
His customary smirk appeared as he tilted his head at her, his gaze near her collar bone.
Confused, she glanced down and then slapped her forehead. Of course. Her nametag.
"Of course. That makes sense." Feeling like an idiot she picked at her food.
Seeing how embarrassed she was by this, he felt it necessary to relieve her of her slight humiliation.
"But it would not be untrue to say that I was aware of such before I noticed the tag." Waiting for her to glance up, he watched her eyes glimmer with a question. "You are widely spoken of in this establishment. It would seem that though you are human, youkai are quite fond of you in general, if not a bit obsessive."
The red from her cheeks crept lower at his words, staining her flesh prettily.
"Oh," was her mumbled reply.
They finished their lunch in silence, with Rin humming now and again.
When they finished they relaxed a little bit, Kagome showing Rin how to weave flowers into chains and crowns while Sesshomaru leaned back against a tree, keeping an eye on them at all times.
Kagome sighed contentedly as she leaned back in the grass and flowers, watching as Rin took to flower weaving like a fish to water.
"So Rin, where do you live?"
"At Sesshomaru-sama's house," she stated matter-of-factly. "With Totosai-san and Myoga-san."
"Oh! Where do you go to school?"
"Rin is home-schooled."
"Goodness, it must be nice to get out of the house once in a while then, huh?"
"Oh yes!" Rin smiled up at her delightedly. "I really like being out and about, but it doesn't happen very often because Totosai-san and Myoga-san are often very busy." She smiled to herself, a little sadly, Kagome thought.
"You know, I would bet that you and my brother would have a great time together, would you mind if we stopped by to see you once in a while? After I get off of work?"
Rin looked up, smiling brightly.
"Oh yes! That would be great! I don't get to play with others very often!"
"How does this Saturday sound? I have the day off and we can do whatever you like!"
"I shall ask Totosai-san!"
"Great! It's a date then!"
Kagome giggled along with Rin, before glancing to Sesshomaru. He seemed to be watching her carefully and she honestly had no idea what he was thinking.
So she simply smiled brightly at him, happy to have made friends with his little girl.
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A/N: I like updating this one! :D There's something so un-daunting about short chapters! Lol!